That's awesome BLK! I can't wait to get back to working on my carpc (currently in a little sandbox known as Iraq). I'm still in the designing phase and I'm thinking about going your route vs an exterior mounted computer. Would you dabble in a wrankger JK? The trim is slightly different. The opening is the right height for double din, but wider. The trim kit fits only on the sides so it would make it difficult to mount the bezel inside the trim. Have you or anyone else figured out how to get around this obstacle?

I've read your entire post. I definitely want to go the same route as you did with the CF hard drive. I'll probably end up going with dual monitors as well. One will be located in the sound bar for the kids to watch movies. I still have a lot of reading!!

Thats one thing I have always hated about Chrysler vehicles, they make the openings so awkward..... I drive a 03 Durango, which is even worse, it isnt even double din, its 1 1/2, so I have to have someone redo the dash.... and forget trying to stick a PC back in the hole on mine, my setup is so massive, the wires fill that space.....

Maybe you can build a copy of the Original head unit and design your PC around that to make all the components fit. Like rdholtz says, use a picoITX..... you will most likely be able to fit everything.... Only thing that would bother me (which is why my system is so massive) is the picoITX wouldnt be able to do much, just provide the basics for car computing...... I dont think it would be powerful enough to deliver smooth good quality video, etc.....

PS: Thanks for servering our country, too bad cr@ppy Bush has you doing it for all the wrong reasons!

That trim could be used with the proper sized chassis, the hard part would be the LCD mount since there is no trim on the top or bottom. It can be done, would require some more thought than the ford metra kit however.

@rdholtz

I am considering the nano as well as the pico board, as this would free up a lot of room. The problem with the smaller technology is it may prove too cost prohibitive. I am looking to manufacture solid yet affordable units. I used the Intel little valley board and must say I am impressed with its speed and price. Using a laptop drive and the M3-ATX would allow all components to reside inside the chassis.

I'm with you HiJack. I wouldn't want a physically smaller system at the price of lower/slower quality. I've been out of the research end of things for a while and I'm just getting back into it. I really like Blk's ideas and want to go that route. My biggest obstacle right now is trying to figure out what type of screen to use (definitely need transflective with a jeep) and how to integrate it with the chrysler trim plates and still make it look OEM. I can't wait to get back and finally start working on the jeeputer.

ps. thanks for the encouragement HiJack. Only a few more months left...

I'm with you HiJack. I wouldn't want a physically smaller system at the price of lower/slower quality. I've been out of the research end of things for a while and I'm just getting back into it. I really like Blk's ideas and want to go that route. My biggest obstacle right now is trying to figure out what type of screen to use (definitely need transflective with a jeep) and how to integrate it with the chrysler trim plates and still make it look OEM. I can't wait to get back and finally start working on the jeeputer.

ps. thanks for the encouragement HiJack. Only a few more months left...

Maybe you should get a EBY701 screen and have it updated to transflective. Only reason i say is because the EBY701 looks like something Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge would put into their cars, thats why i went with them. To keep the look of the EBY701, I am keeping all the buttons and all, Infact, I am using the original front face, then have the dash redone to make it look like the EBY701 is a pull out unit, like the original radio. I know for a fact the EBY701 would match your interior because that is were I got the idea for mine when doing research. The NAV system for the Jeep looks so much like the EBY701, just minus the knobs....

I'll have to check that out. I would like to keep the OEM look to it. I don't plan on ever getting rid of the jeep, but still would like the option of changing the unit out to update/replace without re-constructing my dash. Thanks HiJack

I wouldn't want a physically smaller system at the price of lower/slower quality.

Has anyone seen a head-to-head motherboard performance comparison among the M10000, Intel Little Valley and the PicoITX? I think it would be a fascinating review, and would make a difference in what I do next.

Originally Posted by TxAxZxZ

.ps. thanks for the encouragement HiJack. Only a few more months left...

Hang in there, TxAxZxZ -- and thanks for all you're doing. I'm an old warrior myself; I remember keeping a "short-timer's" calendar, marking the days off 'til DEROS (I don't know if that's still what they call the return date). We're watching your calendar, too.

There is a comparison of the Intel LV, a VIA board (forget which but I think it had a 1.5GHz C3), and an oldish P4 board and CPU. The gist of it was the Little Valley rapes the VIA boards and holds its own against the P4. Factoring in price, power usage, heat, and size the Little Valley is ridiculously awesome.

There is an update to the little valley board too, known as the D945GCLF, it contains a new 1.6 Ghz processor known as "Atom" It uses even less power than the LV. While looking around at CF modules I found a highly rugged 1" actual HARD DRIVE! Seagate says it can withstand up to 200G shock while operating. Its main purpose is for mp3 players and such but the best part of this hard drive is it is the exact same size and interface as a CF module. I may give this a try, as it seems to be a very rugged unit, but it would not require the use of the "enhanced write filter" that running XP from flash does. It would be like running a standard drive, persistant settings, etc. This is all assuming that its bootable from a IDE>CF adaptor.

Found the benchmarks! Fairly impressive. I also recall a report of someone playing Quake3 with the onboard video and decent video settings. Not too shabby! The new rev does look awesome, but I already own the D201 and it's more than enough for my current setup.

Keep us updated on that tiny hdd! Looks promising for a whole host of applications!

There is an update to the little valley board too, known as the D945GCLF, it contains a new 1.6 Ghz processor known as "Atom" It uses even less power than the LV. While looking around at CF modules I found a highly rugged 1" actual HARD DRIVE! Seagate says it can withstand up to 200G shock while operating. Its main purpose is for mp3 players and such but the best part of this hard drive is it is the exact same size and interface as a CF module. I may give this a try, as it seems to be a very rugged unit, but it would not require the use of the "enhanced write filter" that running XP from flash does. It would be like running a standard drive, persistant settings, etc. This is all assuming that its bootable from a IDE>CF adaptor.

Price is definitely right at 29.99

Darn, I cant remember were I read it, but alot of people say the ATOM processor is $h!yt, or maybe they were talking about the MoBo it was connected too. Let me ask, why not just have all you components behind the screen and put the MoBo somewhere else, Glove Box? (Although on my Durango the glove box is tiny, im sure they did the same with jeep)... Also in saying, the Jeep is a off road vehicle, im sure they made panels to hold first aid kits and store camping gear, etc... Maybe convert a compartment for the PC...